I think most fair minded people agree we should have a equitable reserve system that partly weighs seniority, but does not unduly burden our junior Pilots. I am all for such a system. And when I say junior I mean junior in seat, a 1500 seniority number can be junior on 777 reserve so it is not really a junior vs. senior issue, but more of a fairness and QOL issue in my mind.

The problem is one mans fair system is another mans hose job. I personally think the current bucket systems is a good compromise. Not perfect by any means, so lets improve it where we can, but overall not too bad.


At times since the system started I have looked at different categories and posted actual numbers. Yes, actual data points like RAW scores and SC assignments but those who don't think the system is fair just blow this off and recite some anecdotal evidence of the perceived unfairness of the system.

Well - I would rather have hard facts then anecdotal evidence. Hopefully DALPA will release some system-wide numbers that covers both busy and slow months and we can adjust the buckets if required. But until I see some solid evidence that supports changing the system I am fine with it as is - with the one exception of correcting and improving the SC assignments.

My category LAX 73N is pretty small so it is very random to the point that seniority is often trumped by days of availability etc. That is OK because it serves to even everything out. Once again I have looked at a larger NB category - ATL 320 B and here is what it looks like for tomorrow:

The following are the RAW scores with associated SC assignments as of 13 August:

RAW-S/C
77-0
54-1
47-3
74-2
72-0
47-2
24-3
33-0
96-0
34-1
31-4
97-0
89-0

I realize that a snapshot of 1 category does not paint a 100% accurate picture of the system, but its better than me saying "I got hosed on reserve all month and three guys did not fly at all."

It looks pretty good to me. The 3 guys in bucket 2 should now be able to relax until the others catch-up. The weak link in this chain is that none of these bucket 2 guys had any SC assignments so they may be again called out from a SC assignment. I think this needs to be addressed but all in all the whole bucket concept, and the 80 point buckets seem OK to me.


Scoop